Dame’s Big Game

02/27/2023 Dame’s Big Game

By: Jeff Yoder

Damian Lillard (Career-High 71 Points) Sets Franchise Records With 13 3s On Epic Shooting Night

Have a night, Dame! The NBA’s whacky scoring palooza continued Sunday night with a 71-point career-high from Damian Lillard. Dame went 22-for-38 from the floor, including 13-for-22 from 3-point range en route to a 71-6-6 stat line as the Blazers pounded the Rockets (131-114). It was the second 70-point game of the season (Donovan Mitchell, 71, Jan. 2), and it was his fifth career 60-point game. Only Kobe Bryant (6) and Wilt Chamberlain (32) have more. It wasn’t just a 3-point fiesta either — although his 13 triples were one shy of the NBA record. Dame also hammered down a poster dunk on Jabari Smith. He exited with 44 seconds left to a standing ovation and a plethora of Blazers franchise records, including the most points and 3s in a game.

 

Dame History: At age 32, Lillard is the oldest player in NBA history with a 70-point game. He became just the eighth player to score 70 in a game, joining Chamberlain, Bryant, Elgin Baylor, David Thompson, David Robinson, Devin Booker, and Donovan Mitchell. He also became the fourth player to score multiple 60-point games in a single season.

 

Watch: Lillard Scores Career-High 71 Points

 

Other NBA Highlights

 

Bucks Edge Suns for 14th Straight: No Giannis Antetokounmpo or Kevin Durant in action on Sunday, but the Bucks got 33 points from Jrue Holiday to beat the Suns (104-101) and extend their win streak to 15 games.

 

🚨 Celtics-76ers Wild Finish: One of the craziest finishes in recent memory took place Saturday night in Philly where the Celtics beat the 76ers (110-107) after Philadelphia made a late comeback. Jayson Tatum hit the go-ahead 3 with 1.7 seconds left before Joel Embiid (41-12-5) netted a 75-foot prayer that would’ve sent the game into overtime, but the ball was still in his hand when the clock hit zero.

 

🚨 Trae Young’s Buzzer-Beater: After news that the Hawks hired their new coach in Quin Snyder, Atlanta celebrated with a game-winning jumper from Trae Young to beat the Nets (129-127). Young had 34 points and 8 assists, and the Hawks are 2-0 since firing head coach Nate McMillan.

 

Lakers Rally From 27 Down: The new-look Lakers have a new attitude, too. After an overhaul at the trade deadline, Los Angeles won its third straight by completing a 27-point comeback to beat the Mavs (111-108) — the largest rally of the NBA season. Anthony Davis led the way with 30 points and 15 rebounds.

 

🚨 Jokic Drops 40-Pt Triple-Double: Another wild finish closed out the weekend in Denver where the Nuggets outlasted the Clippers (134-124, OT) behind Nikola Jokic’s 40-17-10 night. Paul George hit a half-court heave at the end of regulation that didn’t count, but it would’ve capped a magical weekend of buzzer-beaters.

 

Additional Storylines

ESPN: Damian Lillard Sizzles With Career-High 71 on 13 3-Pointers

CBS Sports: Quin Snyder Agrees to 5-Year Deal to Become Coach of Hawks

 

Photo: Alika Jenner / Getty Images